Legislative Yuan Deputy Secretary-General Chang Yu-Jung Attends the Inauguration Ceremony of the Taiwan-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Association
On the morning of April 21, Deputy Secretary-General of the Legislative Yuan, Dr. Chang Yu-Jung, attended the inaugural ceremony of the Taiwan-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Association, initiated by Legislator Chen Kuan-Ting. Also in attendance were Legislators Fan Yun, Wang Mei-Hui, Wang Yi-Chuan, Loh Mei-Ling, Ngalim Tiunn, Wang Ting-Yu, and Chuang Jui-Hsiung. Distinguished guests present at the event also included Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. François Chih-Chung Wu; Deputy Director General of the Department of European Affairs Lin Chu-En; Deputy Director General of the Parliamentarian Affairs Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Kuan Yu-Chun; Mariia Makarovych, Head of the East Asia Office of the Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine; Lutz Güllner, Head of European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan; Cyryl Kozaczewski, Director of the Polish Office in Taipei; David Steinke, Representative of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office; Helena Reitberger, Representative of the Swedish Trade and Invest Council in Taipei; Jérôme Douaud, Political Councilor at the Bureau Français de Taipei; and Chen Yu-Wei, Senior Policy Officer at the British Office Taipei.
The ceremony began with opening remarks by Legislator Chen Kuan-Ting, the initiator of the Taiwan-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Association, followed by the approval of the association’s charter and the election of its president and vice president. Deputy Secretary-General Chang Yu-Jung stated it was an honor to represent President Daniel K.Y. Han of the Legislative Yuan in attending the inauguration of the Taiwan-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Association. He then extended his admiration to Legislator Chen Kuan-Ting and all those who worked diligently to establish the association. Deputy Secretary-General Chang said that the successful inauguration of the association today stood as a testament to the fact that the Legislative Yuan serves not only as a forum for policy debate, but also as a vital platform for promoting democratic values and strengthening bonds of friendship both at home and abroad.
Deputy Secretary-General Chang also pointed out that although Taiwan and Ukraine are geographically distant, both share a commitment to universal values such as freedom, democracy, and human rights. He praised the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people in facing severe challenges in recent years, which further reinforced Taiwan’s understanding that democracy is hard-won and must be safeguarded across generations. Deputy Secretary-General Chang mentioned that the establishment of the association marks a new beginning for parliamentary exchanges between Taiwan and Ukraine. Through dialogue and cooperation, both sides can deepen mutual understanding and support each other across diverse fields such as education, culture, youth exchanges, and humanitarian affairs, thereby fostering closer ties between the peoples of the two nations.
Deputy Secretary-General Chang continued by noting that President Han has often stated that Taiwan must not isolate itself from the international community but should instead proactively engage with the world, making friends and building partnerships around the globe, and striving for greater international cooperation. He added that the establishment of the Taiwan-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Association reflected Taiwan’s commitment to freedom and democracy, and that Taiwan will maintain close ties with like-minded nations. Deputy Secretary-General Chang concluded his remarks by wishing the ceremony a great success and pledged the full support of the Legislative Yuan for the association’s future exchanges and administrative efforts, expressing hope for lasting friendship and deepening collaboration between Taiwan and Ukraine.
The ceremony continued with congratulatory speeches from Deputy Minister Amb. François Chih-Chung Wu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mariia Makarovych, Head of the East Asia Office of the Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine, and Lutz Güllner, Head of European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan. Pre-recorded congratulatory videos from Ukrainian parliamentarians Kira Rudik, Inna Sovsun, and Yaroslav Yurchyshyn were also played. Legislator Chen Kuan-Ting then invited all distinguished guests for group photos, followed by lively interactions among the attendees. The inaugural ceremony lasted about 50 minutes and concluded successfully.
The ceremony began with opening remarks by Legislator Chen Kuan-Ting, the initiator of the Taiwan-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Association, followed by the approval of the association’s charter and the election of its president and vice president. Deputy Secretary-General Chang Yu-Jung stated it was an honor to represent President Daniel K.Y. Han of the Legislative Yuan in attending the inauguration of the Taiwan-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Association. He then extended his admiration to Legislator Chen Kuan-Ting and all those who worked diligently to establish the association. Deputy Secretary-General Chang said that the successful inauguration of the association today stood as a testament to the fact that the Legislative Yuan serves not only as a forum for policy debate, but also as a vital platform for promoting democratic values and strengthening bonds of friendship both at home and abroad.
Deputy Secretary-General Chang also pointed out that although Taiwan and Ukraine are geographically distant, both share a commitment to universal values such as freedom, democracy, and human rights. He praised the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people in facing severe challenges in recent years, which further reinforced Taiwan’s understanding that democracy is hard-won and must be safeguarded across generations. Deputy Secretary-General Chang mentioned that the establishment of the association marks a new beginning for parliamentary exchanges between Taiwan and Ukraine. Through dialogue and cooperation, both sides can deepen mutual understanding and support each other across diverse fields such as education, culture, youth exchanges, and humanitarian affairs, thereby fostering closer ties between the peoples of the two nations.
Deputy Secretary-General Chang continued by noting that President Han has often stated that Taiwan must not isolate itself from the international community but should instead proactively engage with the world, making friends and building partnerships around the globe, and striving for greater international cooperation. He added that the establishment of the Taiwan-Ukraine Parliamentary Friendship Association reflected Taiwan’s commitment to freedom and democracy, and that Taiwan will maintain close ties with like-minded nations. Deputy Secretary-General Chang concluded his remarks by wishing the ceremony a great success and pledged the full support of the Legislative Yuan for the association’s future exchanges and administrative efforts, expressing hope for lasting friendship and deepening collaboration between Taiwan and Ukraine.
The ceremony continued with congratulatory speeches from Deputy Minister Amb. François Chih-Chung Wu of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mariia Makarovych, Head of the East Asia Office of the Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine, and Lutz Güllner, Head of European Economic and Trade Office in Taiwan. Pre-recorded congratulatory videos from Ukrainian parliamentarians Kira Rudik, Inna Sovsun, and Yaroslav Yurchyshyn were also played. Legislator Chen Kuan-Ting then invited all distinguished guests for group photos, followed by lively interactions among the attendees. The inaugural ceremony lasted about 50 minutes and concluded successfully.